SNCF
‘The Alps - Skiing by Train’ new 2025 map out now

‘The Alps – Skiing by Train’ new 2025 map out now

Alpine mapping specialists, 2theAlps, have released their updated ‘Skiing by Train’ map for 2025. The map features over 200 winter sports resorts, which can be reached by train for a high-comfort low-carbon journey to the mountains. As well as the classic Eurostar routes, new additions for 2025 are ferry routes across the Channel and the...
New online guides on rail travel to the Alps from Montagne Verte

New online guides on rail travel to the Alps from Montagne Verte

I’ve covered Montagne Verte on Ski Flight Free before. This Morzine-based organisation has been doing some great work in the community on sustainability. In 2022 they launched the ‘AlpinExpress Pass’, giving holidaymakers travelling by train discounts on ski passes, accommodation, transfers, ski hire, ski and snowboard lessons, restaurants and more across Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets...
New rail map to French ski resorts

New rail map to French ski resorts

This new map is a fantastic way to work out the route by train to your favourite French ski resort. Click on the map to see the largest version. It was created by David Cooper and Daniel Elkan from the excellent Snowcarbon, on behalf of France Montagnes. Travelling by train instead of flying is the...
Case Study: UK to Crans Montana by train

Case Study: UK to Crans Montana by train

In September 2024, Iain from The Ski Podcast travelled by train from the UK to Crans Montana in Switzerland. This is one of the best ski resorts to travel to by train, as the funicular from Sierre means you can get off the train and be in resort little more than 15 minutes later. London-Paris...
Case Study: UK to Corsica by train and ferry

Case Study: UK to Corsica by train and ferry

So this is nothing to do with ‘skiing’ flight free (unless you are thinking about discovering one of Corsica’s ski resorts this winter), but regular readers will recall that I have taken the Flight Free Challenge for 2024…and that means summer family holidays as well. Brighton to Corsica by train and ferry That meant that...
Case Study: UK to Verbier by Train

Case Study: UK to Verbier by Train

In March 2024, Iain from The Ski Podcast travelled by train from the UK to Verbier in Switzerland. Because of the seamless integration at the final stop, Le Chable, before going up to Verbier, this is one of the easiest ski resorts to travel to by train. Brighton-London-Paris I live in Brighton, so it was...
Case Study: London to Chamonix by train

Case Study: London to Chamonix by train

In February 2024, Iain Martin, presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from London to Chamonix by train. “Chamonix is one of my favourite resorts and I’ve travelled there by train several times. It’s not quite as convenient as some resorts, as it typically requires two changes after Paris. However, the...
Case Study: London to Les 2 Alpes by train

Case Study: London to Les 2 Alpes by train

In January 2024, Iain presenter of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, travelled from London to Les 2 Alpes by train. “This was a first for me, as while I’ve travelled to Switzerland and the Tarentaise in France on many occasions, this was my first train journey to the Southern French Alps.” 08:01 (GMT)...
SNCF 'Carte Advantage': Save money on French train bookings

SNCF ‘Carte Advantage’: Save money on French train bookings

For anyone travelling to the Alps this winter, here’s a useful money-saving tip if you are booking connecting trains from Paris with SNCF. Each winter, I buy an SNCF ‘Carte Avantage‘. You can probably translate that yourself, but just in case, it’s the SNCF ‘Advantage Card’. And indeed, there can be a big advantage in buying...
Eurostar CEO confirms new ski train 'via' Brussels

Eurostar CEO confirms new ski train ‘via’ Brussels

Details of the new ski train to replace the previous direct service to France are still thin on the ground, but it does seem that a new service will definitely be coming in.   In an recent interview with The Guardian, Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave confirmed that:   “British skiers will be able to book...
Travelski Express will not run direct from London to Alps in 2023/24

Travelski Express will not run direct from London to Alps in 2023/24

Sadly, one of the worst kept secrets in skiing has now been confirmed: the ‘Travelski Express‘ will not run this winter direct from London to the Alps. Travelski have been unable to persuade Eurostar to continue their rental of one of their trains to travel direct from London St Pancras to Bourg St Maurice each...
Case Study: London to Nice by Train

Case Study: London to Nice by Train

Ski Flight Free founder recently travelled to Nice by train. Admittedly it was to take part in a triathlon, rather than ski, but this case study should still be of interest, especially as he used the Paris overnight service. Let’s take a look at how it went… Eurostar to Paris The journey started with Eurostar...